Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the reopening of its embassy in Washington D.C. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, following a temporary closure prompted by a significant visa fraud scandal. The ministry has recalled all existing staff and deployed a new team of experienced diplomats to restore operations and implement critical reforms.
Background of the Closure
The embassy was shut down on May 26 after an audit uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving a locally recruited IT staff member, Fred Kwarteng. Kwarteng allegedly created an unauthorized link on the embassy’s website, redirecting visa and passport applicants to his private company, Ghana Travel Consultants (GTC), where he charged unapproved fees ranging from $29.75 to $60. The scheme reportedly operated undetected for at least five years.
Reforms and New Deployments
In response to the scandal, the Ministry has:
- Recalled all Foreign Affairs staff posted to the Washington D.C. embassy.
- Suspended all locally recruited staff pending further investigation.
- Dissolved the embassy’s IT department.
- Deployed a new team of seasoned diplomats to oversee operations.
- Assigned an IT team to reconfigure the embassy’s website and payment systems, eliminating unauthorized platforms and enhancing digital security.
Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
The Ministry has referred the matter to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and tasked the Auditor-General with conducting a full forensic audit to determine the total financial loss to the state. These measures aim to restore integrity and efficiency within Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.
Contact Information for Consular Services
The Ministry has provided the following contact details for individuals seeking consular services:
- Email: washington@mfa.gov.gh / ipab@mfa.gov.gh
- Phone: +1 202 686 4520 / +233 240 793 072
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